OPEC, the 12-member oil cartel, is meeting once again to discuss their game plan for production on Friday in Vienna.

But while the cartel's decisions over the past year looked pretty clear-cut, things aren't on such firm ground this time around.

"The interests of member countries have perhaps never been so far apart," writes Helima Croft, global head of commodity strategy at RBC Capital Markets. "While disagreements were evident at the June meeting, discontent with the pseudo-consensus appears more dire, with the low price environment further stressing the already highly stressed members of the cartel."

Notably, Libya, Iraq, Nigeria, Algeria, and Venezuela — the "fragile five," as Croft calls them — remain at very high risk, especially as Libya and Iraq are on the front lines of war.

As such, take a look at how each OPEC member is weathering geopolitical, economic, and security risks at the moment. The countries are listed from least to highest risk, with 10 being the highest.

Kuwait has a bunch of shock absorbers to protect it from lower oil.

Kuwait has a high reserve-to-population ratio, "which has enabled it to survive the lower-for-longer environment relatively unscathed," writes Croft. But Kuwait's economy is more levered to oil than any other OPEC member — at nearly 60% of GDP.

Qatar is more reliant on gas/LNG exports.

Qatar has been able to remain "comfortable" in the short term — even with lower oil — because of its significant public finances. Additionally, it's the least reliant on oil out of all the OPEC members, instead focusing on gas/LNG exports.

"Qatar's challenge will emerge later this decade," notes Croft.

Source: RBC Capital Markets

The United Arab Emirates sits in the "sweet spot."

Reuters/Jacquelyn Martin/Pool

Risk for next year: 2

Oil production last month: 2.97 mb/d

Oil production in July 2015: 2.80 mb/d

The UAE's fiscal and external buffers have helped limit the spillover effect from lower oil.

Moreover, "while the country is expected to record a deficit of 2.9% this year based on a $61.50/bbl oil price (the first since 2009), 2016 will likely see a return to surplus," notes Croft, citing IMF figures.

Source: RBC Capital Markets

Iran has "seen a reversal of fortune" this year.

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif.Reuters/Maxim Zmeyev

Risk for next year: 3

Oil production last month: 2.70 mb/d

Oil production in July 2015: 2.85 mb/d

"Iran is set to reap significant economic dividends in 2H16 with the suspension of crippling sanctions," writes Croft. "This economic payoff comes at a very opportune time, with the IMF forecasting that GDP growth will slip from 4.3% in 2014 to 0.8% in 2015."

Source: RBC Capital Markets

Angola is more stable than it was in the past, but ...

Angola is better off today than during its 27-year civil war (which ended in 2002). But it's not exactly smooth sailing. Inflation is projected to reach 14% by the end of the year — higher than estimates of 7% to 9% — public debt is growing, and reserves are falling.

"IMF expectations are for GDP growth to be moderate but stable y/y in 2016 at 3.5%, with oil the primary driver given just small improvements in the non-oil sector," writes Croft.

Source: RBC Capital Markets

Ecuador addressed external shocks, but the country also saw protests over the summer.

"The lower-for-longer oil price environment has taken its toll on Ecuador," notes Croft. But the good news is Ecuador now has more diversified energy production, improved infrastructure, higher social equality, a strengthened fiscal position, and growth has averaged 4.5% in the last decade.

While Ecuador "faces near-term challenges, improvements in recent years have better positioned the country to deal with them."

Source: RBC Capital Markets

Saudi Arabia's budget pressures continue to worsen, and there are rumors of internal divisions.

Mohammad bin Salman, deputy crown prince of Saudi Arabia.Wikimedia

Risk for next year: 6

Oil production last month: 10.38 mb/d

Oil production in July 2015: 10.57 mb/d

"A series of reports by leading Saudi experts detailed growing divisions within the royal family over the economic and foreign policies pursued by the purportedly ailing King Salman and his powerful young son, Deputy Crown Price, Mohammad bin Salman," writes Croft.

"We ultimately believe that [Mohammad bin Salman] is the biggest wild-card for the oil markets going into the December 4 OPEC meeting. ... At the end of the day the decision will be made by the royals, in consultation with the technocrats. Oil policy, along with almost everything else in the Kingdom, currently rolls up into [the deputy crown prince], leaving him in the driver's seat," she added.

Source: RBC Capital Markets

Algeria has high security challenges and political instability.

President Abdelaziz Bouteflika.Reuters/Ramzi Boudina

Risk for next year: 8 (increase from August)

Oil production last month: 1.10 mb/d

Oil production in July 2015:1.10 mb/d

Algeria is in the midst of political uncertainty. Its leader is suffering from poor health and reports suggest that there is infighting among the elites.

"The government recently announced a 9% spending cut for 2016. Algeria's FX reserves already fell by 11% in the first six months of 2015. ... At the same time, Algeria still has to contend with a tough security environment due to the unstable neighborhood it inhabits and the presence of multiple armed groups," Croft notes.

Source: RBC Capital Markets

Nigeria's economic picture "continues to darken."

Reuters/Afolabi Sotunde

Risk for next year: 8

Oil production last month: 2.02 mb/d

Oil production in July 2015:1.88 mb/d

"Nigerian President Mahammadu Buhari is still in the post-election honeymoon period, but the economic picture continues to darken due to depressed oil prices and the still challenging security situation amid the virulent Islamic insurgency in the north," writes Croft.

Moreover, "with the excess crude account virtually empty and the government struggling to pay civil servants and members of the security services, it will be difficult for Buhari to renew the 2009 amnesty deal with the armed militants in the Niger Delta responsible for shutting in up to a third of the country's oil output at times between 2005 and 2009."

Source: RBC Capital Markets

Venezuela's upcoming election could mean trouble.

Reuters/Marife Cuauro

Risk for next year: 9

Oil production last month: 2.50 mb/d

Oil production in July 2015:2.49 mb/d

"Venezuela's economy is poised to win the dubious honor of being the world's worst performer in 2015, with GDP forecast to contract by 10% and inflation approaching 190%," writes Croft, citing IMF figures. "Given the dire state of the economy, and rising social tensions, the December 6 parliamentary election could be the catalyst for a major crisis."

Source: RBC Capital Markets

Iraq is going to have a hard time wading through another year of low oil.

Smoke raises behind an Islamic State flag after Iraqi security forces and Shiite fighters took control of Saadiya in Diyala province from Islamist State militants.REUTERS/Stringer

Risk for next year: 10

Oil production last month: 4.30 mb/d

Oil production in July 2015:4.19 mb/d

"Iraq is ill equipped to endure another year of depressed oil prices despite elevated production levels," writes Croft. "Only Libya rivals Iraq in terms of security challenges, with ISIS controlling vast swaths of territory in the north of the country and regularly orchestrating attacks in the vicinity of key energy facilities."

Source: RBC Capital Markets

Libya's peace talks and efforts to restart exports have not succeeded yet.

People take part in a protest against candidates for a national unity government proposed by the UN's envoy for Libya, Bernardino Leon.Thomson Reuters

Risk for next year: 10

Oil production last month: 0.43 mb/d

Oil production in July 2015:0.38 mb/d

Libya remains in an armed conflict between the official government, the self-declared government controlling Tripoli, numerous armed support groups, and active Islamist militants, says Croft.

"In our view, there is still little evidence that the country will be able to improve imminently, and caution against factoring in the sustained return of Libyan barrels any time soon," writes Croft.